Electricity Bill Shot up by a Whopping ~30%. Can Anything Be Done?

abargainer on 24/06/2017 - 15:37
Last edited 27/06/2017 - 11:08 by 1 other user

Today I received my electricity bill for the last month… I was shocked to see almost 30% jump in the per KWH rate in my bill.
The energy provider, in a reply to my mail asking for reason of such a hike said as per the normal industry practice, all their customers are now charged with this hike.

Isn't 30% hike way too much..specially when the economy & my salary doesn't even grow in double digits every year? Any ideas to tackle this problem?

Note: My apartment is in some electricity grid, and it seems I can't change my provider.

Edit : My Electricity provider is https://www.benergy.com.au/ and I do have a meter ID but cannot shift to another provider for some reason.

After going through the comments, it seems we are at the mercy of these companies and nothing much can be done except paying for what is asked :(. Anyways … thanks a lot for all the opinions and comments.

Home & Garden

Comments

    • burningrage on 24/06/2017 - 22:12
      +10

      The reason for the increase is numerous

      With Hazelwood closed, one source of cheap power has disappeared meaning the power mix has tilted towards more expensive ones like gas and renewables. When I used to work for a power station, coal is the cheapest followed by gas with wind the most expensive for obvious reason. With increasing wind farms and solar, the average cost per Mwh has significantly increased.

      This is the single biggest source of the increase. The other reason is the mandated renewables mix which is increasing meaning the power mix is further tilting toward expensive sources. Lastly, SA has drastically sucking up VIC power sources through the Heywood Interconnector because SA has literally killed off the power industry resulting blackouts you may have heard. The only single reason why SA still has power today is simply because of that Heywood Interconnector. If VIC refuses to supply through it like it did during the blackout due to the threat of equipment damage, SA would have been a ghost town it deserved to be. As SA is sucking our power, we have less for ourselves hence the increase

      Your increase of 30% is generous. AGL/ACTEW is increasing its rates by more than that if you follow the news.

      Add that to the fact that you live in Apartment means limited option to shop around. Your only avenue is reduce consumption but they will just compensate that by increasing the daily charges to ensure you pay more.

      • Oofy Doofy on 25/06/2017 - 21:05

        you're right y'know, but the dummies will down vote regardless.

      • JimmyF on 25/06/2017 - 22:11
        +8

        You know why? Lack of a carbon tax policy!

        The dirty power people are not investing, as they are in limbo, the green clean people are not investing as lack of a policy leaves them in limbo too! Both sides need direction, so they invest.

        crabott caused this issue!! before the carbon tax was cut, everything was going well. Now its been axed, and look what happened? Power prices go up! hahahaha You voted for him, you deal with it.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2017 - 22:47
        +6

        Just fyi, SA has the equipment and capability of riding through a cut of Heywood interconnector. Last outage the problem was regulations in the market - Torrens Island couldn't bid in to sell more to the market until they first bidded in to buy gas from the gas market. The delay was literally all political/red tape - simple flick of a switch and it could've been online. They had a whole second turbine ready to start before things started failing. The second fault was wind turbines isolating early for safety reasons when frequency dropped. Hundreds of megawatts dropping at a time, to the point that by the time Torrens had the go ahead there wasn't enough renewable to go with the base load.

        Beyond that, it was SAPower Networks terrible grid. Power generation is pretty useless without a reliable grid to deliver it via.

        tl;dr: SA has capabilities of supplying their own base load when required, assuming other generation (wind/etc) doesn't fail prematurely.
        Also assuming SA Power Networks actually provides a decent network.

        • burningrage on 25/06/2017 - 23:03

          tl;dr: SA has capabilities of supplying their own base load when required, assuming other generation (wind/etc) doesn't fail prematurely.
          Also assuming SA Power Networks actually provides a decent network.

          And that's the problem, wind/etc isn't reliable.

          Also I know for the fact that Pelican Point (owned by Engie, used to be owned by International Power) didn't bid in because there's no point as it wouldn't suffice. The drop was way too much.

          The SA Govt lied when Jay said Pelican Point didn't want to bid in until max price (which back then was $10,000/Mwh) but at that point, it was already max anyway.

          When you think about it, NEMMCO or AEMO as it is now known has been doing its job very well for many decades only now they cried the system failed. Maybe they need to think hard of themselves before blaming a system that has been running for much longer than the govt itself.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2017 - 10:16

          @burningrage:

          Wind/etc is reliable enough on large scale that it can meet demand as long as there's a base load there. SA has the capabilities of supplying their own base load. There's also more than enough renewables to meet demand ontop of this base load. The problem is political, regulations, communication and invalid safety settings (ie windfarms isolating long before there's even close to a risk to infrastructure).

          For reference, Torrens Island can generate up to 1,280MW - Heywood interconnector is something like 450-600MW. It's more than enough.

        • burningrage on 27/06/2017 - 06:35

          @dyl:

          For reference, Torrens Island can generate up to 1,280MW - Heywood interconnector is something like 450-600MW. It's more than enough.

          I heard Heywood Interconnector is being upgraded. Do you know much about this? Sorry I am into utilities :-)

        • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2017 - 09:21

          @burningrage: I roughly factored in the upgrade. The upgrade is an extra 190MW (I had assumed 150) increasing capacity from 460 to 650MW. I estimated this in my 450-600 figure, though was slightly off.

        • burningrage on 27/06/2017 - 10:59

          @dyl:

          Cool thanks.

          EDIT: I remember when Energy CFDs mean that power only cost $20/Mwh on average. At worst, $40-$50/Mwh but managed to drop $15-$17 but average around $20-$25/Mwh.

          If somebody still working as energy traders, wouldn't mind sharing the info of average Mwh these days post Hazelwood shutdown.

        • machej on 28/06/2017 - 20:25

          @burningrage: However haywood can't operate at max capacity on hot days. Now that Vic is a net importer of energy it's also hard to secure capacity. It's no surprised the avg MHh is $90 now that Hazelwood and North Power Station are gone.

      • Shame on 25/06/2017 - 22:56
        +6

        Natural gas supply is also a large part of the problem.

        When coal seam methane was first being developed in Queensland the drillers/explorers were very small companies and it was like the wild west. Farmers didn't get treated very well and so the "shut the gate" movement started which was supported by farmers and the greens (weird combo). The same thing happened in NSW which is much more densely populated and Alan Jones got involved with the shut the gate movement. In Queensland the small companies were purchased by large ones (Origin, British Gas, Shell) and they started treating the farmers better (i.e. paying them $10 to $100k each) so the problem went away. This didn't happen in NSW and so now there is a ban on gas exploration even though people know there is gas in the ground.

        Victoria also decided to ban gas exploration because it's a Green state. Meanwhile, the gas wells in Bass Straight are in MAJOR decline. Victoria has 40+ years of gas in Gippsland and NSW has lots of CSM but no one can drill it. The wholesale cost of gas has gone from $3.50 per GJ to around $10 per GJ. This increase in the gas price has also caused electricity prices to rise- the cost of an open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) with gas at $3.5 per GJ is around $38 per MWh (multiply the gas price by 11), now with gas at $10 per GJ the cost for an OCGT is around $110 per MWh.

        You may think the increase in your bill is a problem but have you thought about your job? With gas at these prices one of two things are going to happen - businesses pass on the cost increase or businesses shut down. Any business that has a large energy bill is going to be in trouble. For example: smelters, brick and cement makers, fertiliser and chemical plants, paper and woodchip makers, dry cleaners, shopping centers (air con uses a lot), cafes (heating water is expensive), schools, etc.

        I'm tipping that the whole thing triggers a recession. As businesses close, unemployment will go up, people won't make there mortage repayments, property prices drop. Happy days!

        If you want to get angry at this then direct your rage at the Victorian Labor party and the NSW Liberal party (not that it will help).

        • burningrage on 25/06/2017 - 23:04
          +1

          Don't worry, Vic Labor will go down at next election and hopefully Matthew Guy will change his mind given the impending recession.

        • buckster on 25/06/2017 - 23:21
          +4

          @burningrage: I'm sure he can be bought by the gas companies like how he was so eager to help out donors as planning Minister

        • DogGunn on 26/06/2017 - 16:29

          @burningrage: Vic Labor have so much dirt on Matthew Guy that they're saving for the election, that even with their apparent current deficit in primary vote, that they're not worried.

        • Stphen on 26/06/2017 - 23:17
          +2

          Yep, plus there is little regulation on pricing. Japanese consumers pay less for Australian gas than Australians pay for the same gas and that includes liquefying it and transporting it to Japan. The Japanese government also gets more tax revenue ($2.9 billion) from Australian gas than the Australian government with import levies. Politicians on both sides have really screwed this up.

          https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-dis…

          http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/japane…

        • User102430 on 27/06/2017 - 22:11
          -3

          mate, the prices of gas are regulated by international markets and were recently hovering around 10 years lows… these increases make no sense to me, except the greed of energy companies, as mentioned by others

      • drillvoice on 26/06/2017 - 16:12
        +1

        I don't know where you are getting this from - renewables are the cheapest form of generation at the moment. Maybe it was different when you worked at a power station but as it stands renewables are cheapest (because they bid into the market at 0 c/kwh, then coal, then gas. The reason costs are going up - especially in SA - is because gas is setting the price more often.

        • Mrgreenz on 26/06/2017 - 21:46

          Can u hook me up with some free renewaable energy

        • drillvoice on 27/06/2017 - 08:35

          @Mrgreenz: you could hook yourself up! The way the retail market works, they still end up getting paid for the power, but the price is set by more expensive forms of generation, like coal or gas.

      • nedski on 28/06/2017 - 09:29

        Your increase of 30% is generous. AGL/ACTEW is increasing its rates by more than that if you follow the news.

        This is false!

        Retail electricity prices have been increased by an average of 18.95 per cent per year, or $6.40 per week, while retail gas prices have gone up by an average of 17.3 per cent, or $4.75 per week.

        http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/actewagl-announces-…

        • burningrage on 29/06/2017 - 20:56

          Not sure the logic.

          30% increase > than 18.95% so what is wrong with my statement?

      • bex000 on 29/06/2017 - 13:46

        The problem with calling hazelwood a source of cheap power is the equipment in that power plant is reaching end of life. Meaning repairing or life extension is not longer a doable and a replacement is required. To replace some of the very large and expensive equipment has been estimated to be $750 million and it won't cost $60MWh as it did in the past. New coal fired power stations will be $80-100 per MWh, non baseload renewables reportedly is around $80-$100 per MWH but renewables with baseload capability brings it up to $130-$140 per MWH. Going from $60 per MWH to $80 per MWH is about 30%. Go figure. If we go with batteries, get ready for 100% cost increase from OP's previous bill.

  • Name on 24/06/2017 - 18:43

    Crazy increase.

    Shame you can't get solar panels on your roof. My electricity provider revamped their pricing… increases across the board, daily supply rate is now $1.30 just to stay connected. Although solar feed in tariff went from 8c to 12cents. The increase in feed in tarrif offset the increase in supply / usage rates and my bill actually ends up cheaper. Down to around $40 a month.

    Every 3 months we consume around 400kwh from the grid for general usage, 480kwh for hot water heating and export around 1400kwh. We use around 1400kwh of in home generated electricity.

    • electriccurio on 24/06/2017 - 20:22

      How big is your solar system and where about do you live, if you don't mind me asking?

      • Name on 24/06/2017 - 23:11
        +5

        6kw of panels and 5kw inverter, I paid $5,500 for them roughly 4 years ago and I'm in Qld.

        • Cheeper on 25/06/2017 - 09:30

          Your gain from that will only commence once the outlay has been recouped. Also add in replacement cost for components as it ages, they don't last forever. Some elec co's also exempt solar owners from special discounts. At the end of the day the actual gain is minimal, if any at all.
          We have solar.. and honestly, it is a waste of money with our current fit rate.

        • Name on 25/06/2017 - 17:01
          +8

          @xywolap: yeah i think you didn't read my other comments. It's already recouped it's cost (took 3 years). I'm now roughly 2k a year better off and I've still got 7 years left on warranty.

        • T1OOO on 25/06/2017 - 19:14
          +4

          @Name:

          And helping the environment. I wish I could do this.

        • RockyRaccoon on 25/06/2017 - 19:47
          +1

          @Name: Likewise but that will require me to cut down trees like other neighbours have done so I can get the sunlight on the panels to make it pay.

          Sort of counter productive in the world of environmental protection

      • burningrage on 24/06/2017 - 22:13
        -5

        Don't forget the Capital Cost of buying solar.

        If you take that into account, your comment is even truer.

        • Name on 24/06/2017 - 23:10
          +12

          Except I paid my solar panels off in 3 years using only the price difference between my old bill and my new bills. It's now been a year since I paid them off and I'm now roughly $2k on top of where I'd be if I didn't get anything.

          Although as a disclaimer it makes sense for our household as my wife works from home and we also have a young child. So we use plenty of power during the day.

        • lostn on 25/06/2017 - 00:23

          @Name: When did you get it installed? Did you get a government rebate?

          I can't see how the difference in bills can pay it off in 3 years. Do you use an insane amount of energy?

        • Name on 25/06/2017 - 07:06
          +5

          @lostn:
          Yeah, the standard STC rebate that everyone gets and I think is still available. Install came to around $5,500. I unfortunately missed the boat with government funded feed in tarrifs tho. My parents are getting 45 cents per kWh for their feed in!

          Our old bills were around $650-800 a quarter new ones are around $120-150 a quarter.

        • burningrage on 25/06/2017 - 23:05

          @Name:

          That's true. Solar has its place and yours is the best case scenario.

          I own one myself but for an entirely engineering curiosity reason.

        • lamchop on 26/06/2017 - 18:03
          +1

          However, solar is getting cheaper to buy. Sure, batteries are still quite expensive but they can only get cheaper. Within 10 years they will be at manageable prices at which you would be able to completely live off the grid. Also, considering that bills are getting more expensive each year, it's a pretty easy choice if you think about it.

        • chartparker on 27/06/2017 - 10:00

          @Name: I did some calcs and it didn't make financial sense for me to get solar… but now with these price hikes it's time to do some math again. Any recommendations on system/models/supplier etc?

        • Name on 27/06/2017 - 23:12
          +1

          @nytrojen:
          I think as long as you stick to the named brands you're good. Last I did serious research into it was 4 years ago when I was buying.. Would be outdated now. So unfortunately, no idea what to recommend. However if you jump over to the green tech thread on whirlpool, there is plenty of discussion. It's where I got my advice several years ago.

          One suggestion would be to make sure that you pick a reputable installer that has been around for a while. So many dodgy installers out there.

        • cheepwun on 27/06/2017 - 23:37

          @nytrojen:

          Any recommendations on system/models/supplier etc?

          I'll only give you this advice: get off the grid, the sooner the better.

          You'll forever be subject to future price hikes, solar taxes and other nonsense while you deal with crooks. Get off the grid on your own terms. Get a plug-in wattmeter. Measure. Reduce energy usage, insulate well and get off the grid. Remember: your rules, not theirs.

        • chartparker on 28/06/2017 - 07:37

          I'd love to do that, but it just doesn't make financial sense for us as this is our first home and we don't plan on being here for more than 5-10 years. It's comfortable for now, but a little too small once we start the baby-making process.

          When I find that elusive, well paying and stable engineering job in the country then I'll go off grid for sure. And buy a pony.

        • chartparker on 28/06/2017 - 07:39

          @Name: Yeah I'll check that out. It's really hard weeding out the cowboys from the decent installers, but I suppose you'd have the same issues with tradies in general.

          Thanks for the green tech reco

      • Name on 24/06/2017 - 23:23

        Yeah I priced up batteries, it's not worth it, once you get batteries you no longer get a feed in tarrif (atleast where I live). So if you want reliabiltiy of being on the grid you're up for $40 a month (using my supply charge rate) with no offset. My bills are currently around that without batteries. Doesn't make any sense. Just a back hand calc to get batteries and disconnect from grid to get rid of my $40 a month bill, it'd take around 30 years to pay off the batteries.

        And if you want to be completely disconnected from the grid and want reliabiltiy, price is going to be massive! You'll never break even. Only time off grid makes sense is if you're no where near the grid.

        [edit] just remembered it's different set ups depending on where you live. In Qld the set up is basically your house draws from the solar system first and anything else goes out onto the grid. So the power you consume from your solar inverter doesn't show up at the meter box. I think some areas of Australia they record the total amount your solar system generates, pay you 12 cents per kWh. Then they tally up how much you consumed and charge you 25 cents per kWh or whatever it is. So where I live, if im using the power I'm generating then I'm 25 cents better off, any excess power I'm generating gets exported back to the grid at 12 cents per kWh. I export more than I consume basically covering the night time power I use.

        • lostn on 25/06/2017 - 00:29
          +1

          The batteries have small capacities and cost thousands. They aren't at a capacity and price that you can depend on them. By the time you can break even on them, a newer, cheaper, more efficient model might be available, and you'd have been better off waiting for that.

          The deal you have in QLD is not bad. In VIC, my sister does not get 12 cents for each kWh exported. It's something like 4 cents, and the power company sells power at around 26 cents pre-GST. You are helping the power company make a profit at your own expense (capital cost of installation). They make a profit selling the energy you generate and save themselves the cost of producing it themselves. It's a win-win for the power company.

          Screw them.

          Until battery tech is more efficient and economic, and solar panels are cheaper to install, there is no business case for getting them. You'd only get them if you're trying to be green, and these kind of people tend to be wealthier enough that the monetary consideration is secondary.

        • Name on 25/06/2017 - 08:32

          @lostn:
          Geezz your sister doesn't get much! Has she looked at other providers or is it flat down there?

          In QLD it's unregulated so each retailer can provide what they want. Some provide none, others 12 cents (highest one I've found), the majority are around 6 cents.

      • Euphemistic on 25/06/2017 - 08:01
        +14

        Solar is not a waste of money. You don't put solar panels on to export to the grid, you put them on so they provide you with electricity to use - for the cost of the panels.

        Our system does save us in consumption, the panels have reduced the amount of energy we buy, plus a bit goes back to the grid. but the biggest portion by far is reducing the amount that we buy.

      • abb on 26/06/2017 - 10:34
        +2

        They're selling YOUR own energy back to you at an insane profit!

        You could get a battery that can store the solar energy but those are expensive

        So you're saying the grid is performing the function of a battery, but at a lower cost. And this is, in your mind, a bad thing?

        • cheepwun on 28/06/2017 - 20:51

          So you're saying the grid is performing the function of a battery, but at a lower cost. And this is, in your mind, a bad thing?

          If they were performing the function of an (on-site) battery, then no Solar Slave would be without power when someone hits a power pole.

          Everyone who signs up to be a Solar Slave on the Grid Scam is benefiting the network greatly by increasing the profitability of the network. They stole our tax dollars to reel the muppets in to the grid-connected Solar Scams, and they continue to steal it in the age of ultra-low FITs, all so they can remain a going concern, and all so The Muppets avoid going off-grid on their own terms. They have succeeded: there were (and still are) way too many Muppets unaware who of writes the rules and when to bend over. Play your part in saving the earth…on the grid!

          If you feel it's OK for The Network to keep stealing shedloads of your taxes just so they can remain a going concern now and in the future, stay on. So what was that about low costs? The costs have been (and continue to be) incredibly expensive to remain on-grid. The hidden and tangible billing costs are sky-high.

          They have cleverly avoided a mass grid exodus because they know the average Muppet can be swindled by enviro-talk and 'saving the earth' BS, all the while 'reducing their bills'. Ho, ho, ho. We can see how that went. We are at the top for electricity prices worldwide because that went so well.

          If you think it's OK for dinosaurs to remain going concerns by stealing shedloads of your tax dollars to keep them in business while we live in the age of cheap renewables, which for the first time ever has allowed the Mass Muppets to give the Grid the middle finger, be my guest. It has never been easier to get off-grid than now (LED lighting, low-power electronics) and for those who don't mind slightly adjusting their usage to be self-sufficient, it can be incredibly inexpensive. Yes, inexpensive.

          If you feel like heating your butt while wearing shorts and a t-shirt indoors, and making absolutely no changes to your life, well then…it can be expensive.

        • abb on 29/06/2017 - 09:34

          @cheepwun: Cool. Now just show me where that affordable house is, within 1hr drive/train of my place of employment, so I can buy a house and install all this gear.

        • cheepwun on 29/06/2017 - 09:49

          @abb:
          Cheap house is a totally different matter. The real-estate bubble has been growing for at least the last 15 years. If you want to generate 100% of your own power, there are going to be some small sacrifices, without going totally caveman. Nobody wants to think about this. They want to continue to live wastefully & then complain about how expensive things are.

        • abb on 29/06/2017 - 09:51

          @cheepwun: But as a renter, I am unable to choose to make those sacrifices…

        • cheepwun on 29/06/2017 - 09:59

          @abb:
          Renters of course are limited in what they can do (stick to portable camping gear if you can). Solar Slaves (over 1 million households who signed up to help the Grid increase profitability) implies home ownership. There are millions more that have done nothing…except accept the sky-high electricity prices (and continue living extremely wastefully).

  • lainey13 on 24/06/2017 - 22:03
    +2

    Would have thought you'd receive a warning letter though of the price increase?

    • burningrage on 24/06/2017 - 22:14
      +5

      These days warning letter came AFTER the rates have increased.

      I literally moved from Red Energy and Momentum because of exactly this reason. They sent the price increase warning after the effective day.

  • bargain huntsman on 25/06/2017 - 08:13

    I locked in with Origin Energy for 2 years at current rates, swapping from Energy Australia. Same rate I was getting from Energy Australia, so delayed price hike for 2 years.

    The amount I saved I put towards my Powerwall 2 budget.

    • burningrage on 25/06/2017 - 23:06
      +2

      When you get Powerwall 2, let me know how it goes.

      Really curious about this.

      • Kangal on 26/06/2017 - 08:12
        +1

        I heard the Powerwall 3 will just be a big box of Eneloops?

        • smartazz104 on 26/06/2017 - 17:42
          +1

          Most of OzBargain already has a Powerwall 3 then.

    • nickj on 26/06/2017 - 12:09

      Is that Origin's predictable plan? I.e. fixed price total bill? Asking as I tried doing this, but Origin just offered me a fixed bill that was twice my last bill (last quarterly bill was $330, they offered me a fixed price of $660 per quarter, couldn't tell them no fast enough). Even with a 20% or 30% increase, and it being winter versus autumn, for me it was still better to pay-as-you-go.

      • bargain huntsman on 26/06/2017 - 12:50

        Hi Nickj. I must admit, I had difficulty finding plan information on the Origin's web site. In the end, I called them and asked for a fixed term plan with the old rates. Though, that was one day prior to their own price hike. I got the impression that you could sign up to this plan as long as it was prior to 01/07/2017.

  • boccos on 25/06/2017 - 08:52
    +1

    The electricity problem is two fold in Qld. On one side is the Retailer, on the other the State Government. It only costs about the same as the solar rebate (about 7 cents/kwh) to buy-in the electricity. Grid maintenance cost is a fully funded separate charge on you bill. Even a meter reading fee covers the that cost. So, largely, the rest is cost-free profit. But our State Government has demanded that their owned retailers Ergon and Energex pay the one year in advance, their combined profit of 3.1 Billion Dollars, forcing the retailers to borrow the money which of course is then part of their financing costs and ends up as a reason to increase the consumers charges. Also, the AER has allowed the retailers Ergon and Energex to recoup the loses of revenue from the Solar generation, by permitting overall price increases to every consumer in order to cover this.
    Stinks Eh!

  • Big Dog on 25/06/2017 - 09:14
    +1

    I want to get solar and battery not just to reduce costs in the long run. Security of supply is going to become a big issue in the coming years. If you don't have your own supply then you'll lose power on those hot 40° days.

    • Cheeper on 25/06/2017 - 09:39
      +2

      Only if you are in SA lol.

      • Big Dog on 26/06/2017 - 10:30

        …

        • Friendly Troll on 26/06/2017 - 20:08

          I think xywolap was referring to the state-wide blackout in SA, or this "load shedding" where your power is intentionally cut for an hour or so.

  • jhmtaylor on 25/06/2017 - 10:17
    -3

    abargainer you are going to have to get used to it.

    As people here have already pointed out. The reason for the increase is the left wing parties forcing the closure of cheap to operate coal fired power stations so that solar renewable energy becomes viable.

    I am in Queensland where the Greens plan is to force the price of electricity up by 100% over the next 4 years by crippling the coal fired electricity generators. The stupid Labor Government are playing along with it so that they appear to be as green as the Greens in order to retain one seat in Parliament held by the Deputy Premier (Jackie Trad).

    • abb on 26/06/2017 - 10:50
      +6

      You should note that Hazelwood, the most recent coal-fired station to close, closed because it was not profitable. Nothing to do with left-wing policies, just simple economics.

      One might consider the health costs (~$12 billion p.a.) incurred as a result of coal pollution, but that risks being seen as "left wing". source: 1 2

      Anyway, many people are now saying that solar is cheaper than coal, and "The amount of new coal power being built around the world fell by nearly two-thirds last year" source

      • Shame on 26/06/2017 - 18:39

        It's great that solar is now cheaper than coal. Perhaps it's time to end the Renewable Energy Target and spend the money on welfare or health instead?

        • abb on 29/06/2017 - 09:28

          How much money does the RET cost?

          Is it more than the $4b p.a. that the fossil fuels are subsidized?
          http://www.tai.org.au/sites/defualt/files/Brief%20-%20Mining…

        • Shame on 29/06/2017 - 09:43

          @abb: You provided a link to $4b in "mining subsidies" not "fossil fuel mining". The fossil fuel industry is maybe one tenth of total mining in Australia. BTW, the federal large scale RET subsidy was $5b alone last year, then you need to add on all the state based schemes.

        • abb on 29/06/2017 - 09:50

          @Shame: My mistake, wrong link/words. Here's one specific to fossil fuels with similar numbers. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-11/coal-oil-and-gas-compa…

          Do you have a source for the RET number? I tried to find it myself but didn't have any luck.

          In any case I think the fossil fuels have had a pretty good deal with not paying to cover their negative externalities (as mentioned previously, ~$12b pa for health, not to mention environment).

      • machej on 28/06/2017 - 20:27

        In saying that renewable subsidies like LGCs/STCs (from the RET) have made it very hard for coal. Wind effectively bids $0/MWh and even if the wholesale price falls to that they still collect these certificates and make a profit.

    • drillvoice on 26/06/2017 - 16:15
      +1

      Um I don't understand how you think the left-wing parties "forced" any closures. Coal closed because it wasn't profitable to keep open. Solar renewable energy is currently the cheapest form of new generation - it doesn't need anything to "Become viable".

      • machej on 28/06/2017 - 20:29

        New generation - yes. Old coal is by far the cheapest at around $30-40/MWh. There was no reason to close the North Power Station in South Australia and Hazelwood could have even been revamped for $300 million. The reason it wasn't is because renewable subsidies put a cap on the effective wholesale price (prior to the closure of these baseload stations) and even drove it into negative amounts at night costing a fortune to coal.

        • drillvoice on 30/06/2017 - 10:48

          Yeah I hear you here. I think it's a bit unreasonable though to say "there was no reason" for them to close. Outside of the fact that they are responsible for damaging the climate, the owners made an economic decision to close them. Many of these plants are reaching the end of their intended operating lives and are going to be closing one way or the other.

  • anthony t on 25/06/2017 - 12:00

    Choice Mag said there's going to be an 'electricity market review', with a prelim. report due Sept. 2017. They said the Fed. Gov. thinks elec. suppliers 'don't appear to be operating as effectively as they could'. I'm sure this is true, as it is with pretty much all big business (and governments). An 'investigation', as toothless as it will be, may help us all a little - even if it's mostly to keep us quiet. Energy Australia tells me, on my bill, that I am using the same amount of power as a 'family of 4-5', but it's just me, and I am really tight on power usage. Therefore, they want my usage to appear 'normal' to fit in with their statistics that will obviously reflect that no-one is being overcharged.

    • cheepwun on 30/06/2017 - 13:48

      'Investigations' only swallow up more of your tax dollars while giving the appearance that the Pigs you pay your taxes to are on your side. It's all an endless money pit to the bureaucracy, to do with as they please. Just another side-scam to follow the main scam.

      The only effective protest is ceasing business with The Grid. We all know the whole scam is bought & paid-for. While your time (and money) disappears waiting…and waiting some more.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2017 - 12:23
    +5

    Don't buy your electrical appliances at aldi
    They get one star for putting a door on the fridge
    Their ovens are great for warming the house up
    And their cheap light bulbs are best used for grilling chicken
    Just swallow your pride and haggle for the good energy efficient appliances
    These days it pays to buy the best possible quality home appliances you can afford

    • idonotknowwhy on 25/06/2017 - 18:09
      +9

      This is easier said than done for some people. The most financially burdened and vulnerable people are the ones who will be affected the most by this.

      Wollies sells toilet paper rolls individually because there are people who can't even afford to buy tp in bulk (even a pack of 12).

      People in these situations use old desktop computers pulling 250 watts just idling on the desktop, decades-old fridges and tv sets and drive old cars which don't "turn the engine off while stopped at the lights"*

    • FittyFitty on 26/06/2017 - 05:26

      @Beach Bum Is their crunchy peanut butter used for axle grease?

  • Gershom on 25/06/2017 - 15:49
    -5

    Thank the greenies for getting our coal fired power stations closed. And if you voted green it's your fault.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2017 - 16:08
      +8

      Shoot the messenger and bury your head in the sand
      Works for at least 51% of the voting sheeple
      Remember who's running the country ?
      Don't be afraid to use logic in your ' arguments ' too
      Or did the windmills do it ?

      • Gershom on 25/06/2017 - 16:33
        -8

        Very cogently argued, a triumph of articulate logic. You're obviously a greenie.

        • Krizy on 25/06/2017 - 18:51
          +1

          I think they're pointing out that electricity expenses could rise even without the closure of coal fired stations. Average temperatures are up and a lot of people will either move south or blast the aircon, more likely the latter.

          Alternatively could burn as much coal as possible to keep up with all the electricity we need for air conditioners.

        • Oofy Doofy on 25/06/2017 - 21:09
          +1

          @Krizy:

          You're both right, so take it easy.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2017 - 15:21

          As I said allready , when people can't effectively argue a point they attack the messenger
          Actually I listen to science based research , maths n such.
          Rather than corporate stooges
          Your free to believe whatever fairytale you like sweetie

        • Gershom on 26/06/2017 - 17:02

          @Beach Bum: You're quite right, I can't imagine where I got the idea that the greenies want to shut down coal. I must have dreamed it.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2017 - 21:57

          @Gershom: yes it's all the dirty hippies fault, ruining your fun

          Nobody promised you being a responsible adult was going to be easy.
          Toughen the fark up .

        • Gershom on 27/06/2017 - 09:31
          -2

          @Beach Bum: Gee fella, settle down. All I said was that Greenies lobbied to close coal fired power stations and the price of electricity went up. Is there anything in that statement that isn't true?

          Why so defensive? Feeling foolish?

    • JimmyF on 25/06/2017 - 22:06
      +1

      please don't have children…..

      Greenies had nothing to do with it.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2017 - 06:37
        +1

        please don't have children…..

        We are being made to pay for your parents indiscretions.

        • JimmyF on 26/06/2017 - 09:04

          No dumb voters who voted for crabott, nothing more, nothing less.

          Do some research into power price increases rather than make sweeping claims.

          But I guess, being a gen blah, thats all you guys do isn't it ;)

  • edy4eva on 25/06/2017 - 17:36
    +3

    Stop paying the lazy tax. Check if the provider has another deal at the moment. I did, and they're like 20% LESS than what I'm paying now. The energy industry is all crooks.

    • burningrage on 25/06/2017 - 23:08

      If you live in an apartment, your choice is very very limited if any unfortunately.

    • Cluster on 25/06/2017 - 23:14
      +1

      In April I shopped around for a new energy provider, and all were within 2c per kWh of each other (in SA). People keep saying 'shop around!', but what do you do if all providers move their prices up lock step?

  • Aceboy884 on 25/06/2017 - 19:58
    +1

    Thanks to santos

  • scorpiosony on 25/06/2017 - 20:17
    +6

    Nuclear Power Plant, I don't see why we should not have it in outback.

    • Wallyt99 on 25/06/2017 - 21:20
      +7

      Because they need to be near a water source for cooling…..

      • Cluster on 25/06/2017 - 22:56
        +2

        This. People have this impression we can put a nuclear (or coal) power plant anywhere. Both require vast amounts of water to work (nuclear much more so).

        Plus don't forget about the NIMBYists and the BANANAs. The nuclear power plant will be near someone kicking up a huge fuss. During the French nuclear testing at Moruroa Atoll the media was reporting the testing was happening in "Australia's backyard". The atoll is over 5000km away.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2017 - 10:13

          British nuclear testing at Maralinga was pretty horrific, certainly left an anti nuclear legacy for many.

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